two 11-year-olds, founders of TJ & JT Mowing Service, completed a 50 Yard Challenge in Alabama, to mow 50 yards for the elderly, veterans, and people unable to care for their lawns for free.

Rodney Smith Jr., of Huntsville, Alabama, known as “The Lawnmower Man,” had been told of two klds sharing an old lawnmower that a neighbor had donated to them.

He gave both teens a mower, a blower, and a trimmer for their hard work, hoping they would use their new equipment to expand their business. “Giving these boys lawn equipment is teaching them discipline,” Smith said. “If they tell someone they are going to mow a lawn, they need to mow the lawn.” he added. “This could be the beginning of a successful lawn service.”

Smith’s commitment to caring for people’s lawns began in 2015, and the following year he went viral for helping a 93-year-old woman who could no longer mow her lawn. Smith had set a bold goal of mowing lawns for free in all 50 states. His goal was to promote his initiative that “provides free lawn care to our elders, those who are disabled, single mothers, and our veterans, who do not have the time, resources, and/or money to manicure their yards.”

As part of this goal, he created the 50 Yard Challenge, which has been a smashing success.

As of mid-2026, more than 6,000 pre-teens and teens have signed up for the challenge across the United States, up from 4,588 in May 2023. If everyone completes it, the total number of lawns mowed for free by Smith’s Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service will reach well over 300,000.

Kids and teens can take part in the challenge by sending them a photo holding up a sign that says, “I accept the 50 Yard Challenge,”

After completing the challenge, the child or teen will receive a mower, a blower, and a trimmer

https://www.upworthy.com/50-lawnmower-man-challenge-ex1/